iPhone OS 3.0 ? Installation and Overview

By Christopher Nickson June 17, 2009

Apple’s new (and much-hyped) operating system update is already bundled inside the iPhone 3G S, but existing iPhone owners can now download iPhone OS 3.0 right from iTunes – though be patient, as Apple’s servers are currently experiencing traffic jams.

In case you’re unfamiliar with what’s new, more than 100 features have been added to iPhone OS 3.0, most notably: The ability to copy/cut and paste text between programs (the process is quite intuitive); landscape typing in email and notes (widening the "soft" keyboard, making it easier to type on); support for MMS (to send photos and videos to other cell phones); voice memos (which you can then email or sync to a PC); search capabilities that span across the entire iPhone (slide your finger left from the main menu to access); and the option to download TV shows and movies (rent or buy) on the iPhone itself.

iPhone Landscape Typing

We also tested the "Find My iPhone" feature through Apple’s MobileMe service, which not only lets you remotely wipe clean a lost or stolen iPhone to prevent someone accessing personal information and files, but also helps you locate the iPhone using mapping software on a PC. What’s more, you can send a message that will appear on the screen (e.g. "Call 212-555-1212 if found") or play an audible sound to help you locate one that’s gone missing in your home, even if your phone is set to silent.

Recommended Videos

To download the new iPhone OS 3.0, simply connect your iPhone to your PC or Mac, launch iTunes and click "Check for Update."

Christopher Nickson

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Chris Nickson is a journalist who's written extensively about music and related fields. He's the author of more than 30…

Mobile

Here’s every iPhone and iPad that supports Apple Intelligence

Apple Intelligence on iPhone 15 Pro.

Apple's WWDC 2024 keynote was one of the biggest ones that the company had made in years. During this keynote, the company showed us what we'd be getting in iOS 18, which includes some big user-requested features like more home screen customization, RCS messaging support, and more. But that's not all — this is the first iOS that brings AI into the iPhone with Apple Intelligence.

Apple Intelligence, as Apple calls it, is a powerful suite of AI tools that will help make your life even easier. From new writing tools and summarization features to image generation and the ability to create unique emojis, Apple Intelligence definitely looks impressive.

Mobile

The iPhone 17 will reportedly get a new type of Wi-Fi chip

A person using the Apple iPhone 16 Plus.

By this time next year, Apple may have installed its own in-house Wi-Fi chips in all of its phones, or at least one of them.

According to Ming-Chi Kuo, a well-known analyst with a trusted record, Apple is working on its own Wi-Fi chips to replace the current ones from Broadcom, but there's not a firm timeline on when they'll arrive (via MacRumors). He says the iPhone 17 Pro might come equipped with this new chip, but other sources suggest it won't get widespread adoption until the iPhone 18.

Mobile

How to fast charge your iPhone

iPhone 12 Mini with charger

While they may not be some of the longest-lasting smartphones on the market, modern iPhones boast more than respectable battery life that should be able to get you through an entire day's use without breaking too much of a sweat. Of course, that assumes a lot of things — including a battery that's still relatively new and in good health, plus a usage pattern that doesn't include all-day streaming or gaming.

But for some people, overnight charging isn't going to cut it, and you'll want to get your battery topped up again as quickly as you can so you can get back in action. Thankfully, every iPhone released in the past six years supports much faster charging, but the downside is that with very few exceptions, Apple has never supplied you with the right adapter to get the best possible charging speeds from your iPhone.